Being Black in Wisconsin (Appleton)......... (Milwaukee, Madison: upper-class, job market, gated)

[ComputerBlue]

Yeah I know what u mean liz with the stupid comments but I dont take them to heart lol. Yeah if it was like the 60's still that would be crazy. Yeah America is changing in that regard but of course u still have your pockets of flat out racism. I think closet racism is the worst in my opinion. I feel it does more damage...

[ComputerBlue]

Originally Posted by tuckerfam

I live in Appleton. Just wanted to comment on the posts here. I really like living here, it is small and thriving, and affordable. As far as being black in Appleton, I've never recieved any racial tension from living here. Everyone is very nice and polite. I think someone mentioned hestitation, there might be some of that initially for some, but once people realize that you are a decent person, and can talk english, and you can crack a smile now and then, they are fine - I think its just like meeting a new person. Also, there are more and more black people venturing her within the last 2 years. You might find it hard to become friends with other blacks, because there isn't a lot of commonality around where they congregate. Which to me can be a good thing. So, if you just get involved in the community into things that YOU want to do, eventually you might find someone that shares your same interests,....and may happen to be black. I had made the decision to move here or Green Bay, and Appleton is more trendy to me, more nice shopping, nice clean and overall gives you the "space" that you need.

Interesting Tuckerfam.. Yeah I was just thinkin that about commonality amongst my own people. Cause in a since I grew up with whites and I had good education and speak very good english. Sometimes I wonder if I'm a victim of my own success lol. I love being black ya know and I would never want to change that but you know, I just like being educated and knowing the world around me. Its like is that so wrong? I would love to find more of my people like me that would be really nice. I have a black neighbor now here in Dallas and hes very different and we get along well and able to relate. He's from Chicago and he knows how I feel and he feels the same. I definitely want to get invovled in the community ya know. I think I could meet some nice people. Yeah it seems like a trendy place and pretty clean. I wish Appleton had a skyline like Madison though!! Madison looks really chill man.....

[yo vanilla]

The Madison skyline is terrific looking over Lake Monona. That's probably the majority of the pics you'll see. And I think once Appleton was named as the city with the most trees in America.

[ComputerBlue]

Oh really Vanilla? Wow I love trees! I always think of the American dream with a tree lined neighborhood. Well thats a big plus I must say!

[tuckerfam]

Originally Posted by ComputerBlue

Interesting Tuckerfam.. Yeah I was just thinkin that about commonality amongst my own people. Cause in a since I grew up with whites and I had good education and speak very good english. Sometimes I wonder if I'm a victim of my own success lol. I love being black ya know and I would never want to change that but you know, I just like being educated and knowing the world around me. Its like is that so wrong? I would love to find more of my people like me that would be really nice. I have a black neighbor now here in Dallas and hes very different and we get along well and able to relate. He's from Chicago and he knows how I feel and he feels the same. I definitely want to get invovled in the community ya know. I think I could meet some nice people. Yeah it seems like a trendy place and pretty clean. I wish Appleton had a skyline like Madison though!! Madison looks really chill man.....

..about the commonality with your people. I also grew up as you. I can tell you that, it is hard to find our people on the same level as you. If you want the connection with blacks, there is an African American (I hate this term) Heritiage Center here, that has some good membership. So, if you want to contribute that way you can definately meet people within your own culture. Also, Appleton only has one real club here downtown that has five clubs in one called Park Central. Otherwise, everyone here like I said are really nice and friendly, and I've made many friends outside of my race, and it doesn't bother me at all. Appleton is nice for getting out - but being a gal that is used to hanging out in Chicago it is a far cry - but it does the job. Yes, the Appleton downtown has a radius of about 10 blocks(may be exagerrated) but after being here a while it grows on you. There are concerts in the park, Octoberfest, farmers markets and other events that you can do. Also, for a short drive to Green Bay you can have host of other events to go do and things to do. As far as living, I'll pick Appleton just because you can drive to GB, be in Milwaukee in 2 hours ofr a weekend, Madision in 2 hours, Chicago in 3 and some other nice little quaint spots too. Send me a personal message if you have any specific questions, I'll be glad to help you out.

re: Madison - Madison is thriving lots. It was voted one of the best places to live consecutively in 2006, 2007, and 2008 I believe. A good place to check out if you can. Definately bigger than Appleton though..(

[ComputerBlue]

Originally Posted by tuckerfam

..about the commonality with your people. I also grew up as you. I can tell you that, it is hard to find our people on the same level as you. If you want the connection with blacks, there is an African American (I hate this term) Heritiage Center here, that has some good membership. So, if you want to contribute that way you can definately meet people within your own culture. Also, Appleton only has one real club here downtown that has five clubs in one called Park Central. Otherwise, everyone here like I said are really nice and friendly, and I've made many friends outside of my race, and it doesn't bother me at all. Appleton is nice for getting out - but being a gal that is used to hanging out in Chicago it is a far cry - but it does the job. Yes, the Appleton downtown has a radius of about 10 blocks(may be exagerrated) but after being here a while it grows on you. There are concerts in the park, Octoberfest, farmers markets and other events that you can do. Also, for a short drive to Green Bay you can have host of other events to go do and things to do. As far as living, I'll pick Appleton just because you can drive to GB, be in Milwaukee in 2 hours ofr a weekend, Madision in 2 hours, Chicago in 3 and some other nice little quaint spots too. Send me a personal message if you have any specific questions, I'll be glad to help you out.

re: Madison - Madison is thriving lots. It was voted one of the best places to live consecutively in 2006, 2007, and 2008 I believe. A good place to check out if you can. Definately bigger than Appleton though..(

Yes I hate the term African American as well. If I was born in Africa then yeah African American would be okay but at the same time we are all Americans and this is the only country on earth that divides it's people by race. Sadly America will always have racial tension cause it has not left the past and chooses to be stagnant in progress towards equality. But America has made great strides in its race but still needs to get to the finish line. Ayways I could I write a book about this but I won't go that far lol. I will definitely go visit the heritage center when I arrive. Park Central looks like it will be alot of fun. I won't be going out to much but having somewhere to go when I feel like it will be nice. Madison will be my 1st choice to go visit when I get settled in Appleton. I really haft to go see the skyline and lake with my own eyes. Milwaukee had a nice skyline as well when I seen pictures off this site. Chicago will be nic eplace to get away on weekend. It looks so big nd I would not know where to start!!!
I'm not suprised Madison is listed as one of the best places to live I mean just look at the scenery. I will be in Appleton though and I will haft to learn how to get on my knees and worship Brett Farve when I drive into Green Bay lol! Even though he is now a Jet. I will definetly message you if I have any questions and concern.....Thank you much!!

[yo vanilla]

Earlier today I was directing my mom through Madison (over the phone), and it reminded me how much I like the place. You've got to visit if you don't choose it to live. Stay at the Concourse Hotel, eat lunch at State Street Brats, walk along Lake Mendota, check out Camp Randall. Oh, and take the guided tour of the Capital building. It's one of the 5 largest in the US.

[ComputerBlue]

Lake mendota Vanilla is calling my name!! The capital building I see in the photos of Madison is pretty neat. Very few capital cities have such big capital buildings. I should have checked out Wisconsin long time ago. I never thought lol there was anything beyond Milwaukee..............I was wondering whats your opinion on eau claire? Have you been out that way?

[geekduo]

I spent my teenage and young adult years going there for shopping and recreation, etc. I would compare it to Appleton for jobs and shopping, their industry has more tech and less paper though. Big employers are HTI, SGI(in Chippewa Falls), 3M and others I can't remember right now. The tech industry has been volatile though, that's why I left. The downtown is not as good as Appleton, it's heavily influenced by the university in town, UW-EC. Which, by the way, is a really good school. There are not as many entertainment options as Appleton, but the area has some great outdoor music festivals every summer. 2 country and 1 rock. Check out rock-fest.com if you like. It's not far from all the bluffs lining the western side of the state, very beautiful country. The city of Chippewa Falls is just a few minutes north and has a really cool northwoods feel to it. There you have Irvine Park, Leinenkugels brewery and the Northern Wisconsin State Fair. It's also the original home of Cray Research and has a computer museum, which you might find interesting to visit since you are in that field.
Personally, I prefer it to Appleton, but then I'm a bit biased!
As far as diversity, it's probably similar to Appleton.

[geekduo]

The Wisconsin Technology Council